Anti-clog pump nozzles, pump and refill units

ABSTRACT

Exemplary pumps, nozzles and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow. The conical shaped portion has a helical groove about its inner surface and the helical groove has an end proximate an outlet. Another exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower portion that has a passage. At least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path. The outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority to and the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/868,281 filed on Aug. 21, 2013 and entitled ANTI-CLOG PUMP NOZZLES, PUMPS AND REFILL UNITS. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to pump nozzles, and more particularly to pump nozzles, pumps and refill units having anti-clog pump nozzles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid dispenser systems, such as liquid soap and sanitizer dispensers, provide a user with an amount of liquid upon actuation of the dispenser. Such dispensers are prone to output misdirection. Output misdirection is the dispensing of a product in an orientation or direction that differs from the intended orientation or direction and may result in the product partially or fully missing the target. Misdirection of, for example, hand sanitizer gel occurs when gel dries, hardens, or collects at or near the tip of a pump nozzle as the pump dispenses gel sanitizer from the product refill unit over the life of the refill unit. The builds up at the tip forms layers that block or clog the pump nozzle.

SUMMARY

Exemplary pumps, nozzles and refill units are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow. The conical shaped portion has a helical groove about its inner surface and the helical groove has an end proximate an outlet.

Another exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower portion that has a passage. At least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path. The outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.

Another exemplary refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a passage formed of a first material and an outlet tip that contains an additive that is not included in the first material.

Another exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has a lower portion that has a passage. At least a portion of the walls of the passage reduce in cross-sectional area along the fluid flow path, and the outlet is has a non-circular cross-section.

Yet another exemplary refill unit includes a container, liquid gel in the container, a pump and an outlet nozzle. The outlet nozzle has an outlet tip, wherein the outlet tip comprises a performance enhancing substance that reduces the ability for the liquid gel to adhere to the outlet tip.

In this way, a simple and economical air-vented liquid dispenser system including a refill unit is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a refill unit having a container and a pump;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an anti-clog nozzle;

FIG. 3 is a view looking up at the outlet of the nozzle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an anti-clog nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a plan view looking down of the lower interior portion of the nozzle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view looking up at the outlet of the nozzle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an anti-clog nozzle;

FIG. 8 is a plan view looking down of the lower interior portion of the nozzle of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view looking up at the outlet of the nozzle of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an anti-clog nozzle;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the exemplary tip of the nozzle of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of an anti-clog nozzle; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the exemplary tip of the nozzle of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a refill unit 100. Refill unit 100 includes a container 102, a pump 104 and an anti-clog nozzle 106. Pump 104 is a piston pump; however, pump 104 may be any type of pump. Anti-clog nozzle 106 attaches to pump 104. Anti-clog nozzle 106 includes an outlet 110 and an actuator engagement member 112. When refill unit 100 is inserted in a dispenser (not shown), actuator engagement member 112 is engaged by an actuator (not shown) on the dispenser. Movement of the actuator moves anti-clog nozzle 106 upward to dispense a product and anti-clog nozzle 106 is moved downward to re-prime pump 104.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary anti-clog nozzle 200 that may be utilized in refill unit 100. FIG. 3 is a view looking upward at the bottom 210 of anti-clog nozzle 200. Anti-clog nozzle 200 has a lower portion 220. The interior wall of lower portion 220 has a conical shape wall 221 that reduces in cross-sectional area along the flow path of the lower portion 220. Along the length of the conical shaped wall 221 is helical groove 222. Helical groove 222 ends at edge 224 near the end of cylindrical opening 226. In some embodiments, edge 224 is at the bottom of the cylindrical opening 226.

As liquid or gel flows through the lower portion 220 of anti-clog nozzle 200, the velocity of the liquid or gel increases and has a rotational motion caused by helical groove 222. As the liquid or gel passes edge 224, the geometry causes the liquid or gel to shear thin. In addition, the geometry provides less surface area for the liquid or gel to adhere to and minimizes buildup that may cause output misdirection. During operation, any hardening of the gel peels off of the edge 224.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary anti-clog nozzle 400 that may be utilized in refill unit 100. FIG. 6 is a view looking upward at the bottom 410 of anti-clog nozzle 400. Anti-clog nozzle 400 has a lower portion 420. FIG. 5 is a plan view looking downward at the top of lower portion 420.

In this exemplary embodiment, lower portion 420 of nozzle 400 has a passage 432. Passage 432 has walls formed by three cones 332A, 332B and 332C. Cones 332A, 332B and 332C are close enough so that the walls intersect one another to form a single passageway. In addition, cones 332A, 332B and 332C are angled toward one another and have a single multi-lobed outlet 424. Multi-lobed outlet 424 is non-cylindrical outlet that has a cross-section in the form of six arcuate shaped segments 424A, 424B, 424C, 424D, 424E, 424F and 424G. The arcuate shapes 424 424A, 424B, 424C, 424D, 424E, 424F and 424G intersect with one another and form edges 440. Multi-lobed outlet 424 ends slightly above the outlet opening 426 which is slightly larger than the multi-lobed outlet 424. Accordingly, gel does not contact and/or build up on the outlet opening 426. In some embodiments, the multi-lobed outlet 424 may have more than six arcuate shapes forming the multi-lobed outlet. In other embodiments, the multi-lobed outlet 424 may have less than six arcuate shapes forming the multi-lobed outlet 424.

As liquid or gel flows through the lower portion 420 of anti-clog nozzle 400, the velocity of the liquid or gel increases as the cross-sectional area of the anti-clog nozzle 400 reduces. As the liquid or gel passes through multi-lobed outlet 424, the geometry causes the liquid or gel to shear thin. Any buildup or hardening of the gel that occurs on the multi-lobed outlet 424 peels off of the edges 440 more readily than it would peel off of a circular opening. Thus, the non-circular outlet with edges minimizes buildup that may cause output misdirection.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary anti-clog nozzle 700 that may be utilized in refill unit 100. FIG. 8 is a view looking upward at the bottom 710 of anti-clog nozzle 700. Anti-clog nozzle 700 has a lower portion 720. FIG. 8 is a plan view looking downward at the top of lower portion 720. In this exemplary embodiment, lower portion 720 of nozzle 700 has a passage 732 formed by three cones 732A, 732B and 732C. The cones 732A, 732B and 732C are close enough so that the walls intersect one another to form a single passageway.

In addition, cones 732A, 732B and 732C are angled toward one another and have a single multi-lobed outlet 724. Multi-lobed outlet 724 is a non-cylindrical outlet that has a cross-section that has three arcuate shaped segments 726A, 726B and 726C. Arcuate shaped segments 726A, 726B and 726C intersect to form edges 740. In some embodiments, the outlet 724 may have more than three arcuate shapes forming the multi-lobed outlet. In other embodiments, the outlet 724 may have less than three arcuate shapes forming the multi-lobed outlet.

As liquid or gel flows through the lower portion 720 of anti-clog nozzle 700, the velocity of the liquid or gel increases as the cross-sectional area of the anti-clog nozzle 700 reduces. As the liquid or gel passes through multi-lobed outlet 724, the geometry causes the liquid or gel to shear thin. Any buildup or hardening of the gel that occurs on the multi-lobed outlet 724 peels off of the edges 740 more readily than it would peel off of a circular opening. Thus, the non-circular outlet with edges minimizes buildup that may cause output misdirection.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary anti-clog nozzle 1000. Anti-clog nozzle 1000 has a cylindrical outlet passage 1022. An outlet tip 1024, which is best seen in the enlarged partial cross-section of FIG. 11, is located at the end of cylindrical outlet passage 1022. The outlet tip 1024 includes an additive that prevents or minimizes the ability of gel sanitizer to adhere to the surface. Such an additive is a performance enhancer. One suitable performance enhancer is salt. In some embodiments, the outlet tip 1024 has a salt additive. Sanitizing gels container carbomer. Salt dissolves the carbomer and causes the gel to become more fluid. In some embodiments, the performance enhancer comprises 20% of the outlet tip 1024. In some embodiments, the performance enhancer comprises up to 25% of the outlet tip. In some embodiments the performance enhancer comprises less than 15% of the outlet tip.

The outlet tip 1024 may be over-molded onto the end of passage 1022 or may be secured to outlet passage 1022 by any means, such as a snap-fit connection, and adhesive connection, a friction-fit connection, or the like. In this exemplary embodiment, the exemplary outlet tip 1024 has an inner surface 1025 that is flush with the inner surface 1023 of outlet passage 1022.

Similarly, FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary anti-clog nozzle 1200. Anti-clog nozzle 1200 has a cylindrical outlet passage 1222. An outlet tip 1224, which is best seen in the enlarged partial cross-section of FIG. 13, is located at the end of cylindrical outlet passage 1222. The outlet tip 1224 includes an additive or performance enhancer as described above that prevents or minimizes the ability of gel sanitizer to adhere to the surface.

The outlet tip 1224 may be over-molded into nozzle 1000 or may be secured to outlet passage 1222 by any means, such as a snap-fit connection, and adhesive connection, a friction-fit connection, or the like. In this exemplary embodiment, the exemplary outlet tip 1224 has an inner surface 1225 that fits up within a notched portion of the inner surface 1223 of outlet passage 1222 sot that the inside surface 1225 of outlet tip 1224 is flush with the inner surface 1223 of outlet passage 1222.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising: a container; a pump; and an outlet nozzle; the outlet nozzle having a lower conical shaped portion that reduces in cross-sectional area in the direction of fluid flow; the conical shaped portion having a helical groove about its inner surface; and the helical groove having an end.
 2. The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a cylindrical outlet located downstream of the end of the helical groove.
 3. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the pump is a piston pump.
 4. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member.
 5. A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising: a container; a pump; and an outlet nozzle; the outlet nozzle having a lower portion that has a passage, wherein at least a portion of the walls of the passage contain a plurality of partial conical shapes that intersect and the passage has a cross-sectional area that reduces along the fluid flow path; and the outlet has a multi-lobed cross-section.
 6. The refill unit of claim 5 wherein the multi-lobed cross-section has three or more lobes.
 7. The refill unit of claim 5 wherein the multi-lobed cross-section at least six lobes.
 8. The refill unit of claim 5 further comprising a cylindrical outlet located downstream of the multi-lobed cross-section.
 9. The refill unit of claim 5 wherein the pump is a piston pump.
 10. The refill unit of claim 5 wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member.
 11. A refill unit for a gel hand sanitizer comprising: a container; a pump; and an outlet nozzle; the outlet nozzle having a passage formed of a first material; and an outlet tip, wherein the outlet tip contains an additive that is not included in the first material.
 12. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the additive comprises a performance enhancing substance.
 13. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the additive comprises a salt.
 14. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the tip is over-molded onto the passage.
 15. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the tip is secured to the passage.
 16. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the pump is a piston pump.
 17. The refill unit of claim 11 wherein the outlet nozzle further comprises an actuator engagement member.
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